Crews continue to tackle 14 wildfires in south Wales

Crews are continuing to fight 14 wildfires in south Wales as emergency services warn that risk remains high for next week.

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service (SWFRS) said on Sunday it was responding to “significant wildfire activity” with the support of other services from across the UK and military personnel.

On Saturday evening, the service warned that, while temperatures may ease in the coming days, a continued lack of rain means the wildfire risk remains high.

Deputy Chief Fire Officer Adam Openshaw said: “The combined efforts of everyone involved in this major incident continue to play a vital role in keeping people safe during these exceptional circumstances.

“We know this is a challenging and worrying time for many people.

“Please be assured that we remain committed to protecting our communities and keeping the people of South Wales safe.”

On Friday evening, millions of people in England and Wales received an alert on their mobile devices warning them of a “very high risk of wildfires nationally”.

It came after Prime Minister Andy Burnham described Britain as a “tinderbox” and a temporary ban on disposable barbecues was put in place.

SWFRS said on Saturday evening that it had already received 736 calls, compared with an average of about 300, and urged people only to call 999 if there was a new emergency to report.

The wildfires have led to the deployment of about 200 personnel from the Queen’s Own Gurkha Logistic Regiment, supported by the 22 Engineer Regiment.

According to the Ministry of Defence, their main task is to provide logistical support, such as water distribution, and to help free firefighters and specialist responders to focus on frontline firefighting.

Gareth Tovey, Fire Brigades Union executive council member for Wales, said earlier this week that members were reporting “carnage” as they battled multiple incidents after weeks of wildfires across the country.

He said: “What our members out there, firefighters on the ground, are saying, is that the conditions in which they’re fighting these fires are materially different from what we’ve experienced before – it’s so much drier.

“We’re seeing fires progress into areas and expand in ways that we haven’t necessarily seen before.”

He said firefighters were working 10 or 11-hour shifts on mountainsides without breaks or access to toilets, eating meals “covered in soot”.